Workshops

Last week I conducted five 90-minute workshops on the Five-Step Lesson Plan, Student Practice, and Checking for Understanding for the 14 teachers here (Sir hired two more just before the workshops began). The teachers were very excited and were conscientious students, doing their reading before hand and completing all homework assignments. Overall I think the workshops were successful, but if I had to do them over again I’d make a few changes. For example, I’d lessen the amount of reading required for the teachers. As second language learners, reading the annotated lesson plans seemed to take at least twice as long. I’d also try to conduct the workshops in the morning—it was so hot and the teachers were so tired by the end of the day that despite their general enthusiasm for the content, some had trouble staying awake or focusing. The feedback data is generally positive, although I’m a bit concerned that teachers were on the fence between Agree and Disagree when asked if the strategies presented could be put into practice at SSK. Definitely a learning experience for me, and I hope a learning experience for them. The best part was teaching the I Do/We Do/You Do dance to everyone on the first day and then hearing them critique each other’s dance steps throughout the week. Even the founder and chairman got into the action of the last day, breaking it down.

**Special Shoutout to Gabby at TFA for sharing so many resources that made workshop prep a million times easier!